by Jamal Baptiste, Black Grooves Trumpeter and composer Kenyatta Beasley’s tribute album, Frank Foster Songbook, celebrates his late mentor, the noted tenor and soprano saxophonist, composer and arranger Frank Benjamin Foster III. Recorded live over the course of two evenings at Brooklyn’s Jazz 966 club in 2013, this two-disc album captures the dynamic musical interactions … Read More
by Asher Wolfe, Jazziz Chase Baird’s new studio ensemble functions like an ecosystem. The New York-based saxophonist released his second LP, A Life Between, with the star-studded lineup of pianist Brad Mehldau, drummer Antonio Sanchez, bassist Dan Chmielinski and guitarist Nir Felder. There are no overlapping personnel from his 2010 debut Crosscurrent. Although this iteration of Baird’s … Read More
By: Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs T.K. BLUE – “THE RHYTHMS CONTINUE” JAJA Records Saxophonist T. K. Blue’s new suite is composed and dedicated to the memory of T.K.’s long-time bandleader, mentor and NEA Jazz Master, Dr. Randy Weston. Jazz composer and pianist, Randy Weston, passed away in September of 2018. Not only has T.K. Blue … Read More
by Elzy Kolb, Hot House Another Reason To Celebrate Trumpeter Kenyatta Beasley’s new release, Frank Foster Songbook (ArtVsTransit), pays tribute to his mentor, the acclaimed saxophonist, composer and arranger who is perhaps best known for his work with the Count Basie Band and his own Loud Minority Big Band. The two-CD set was originally planned as a conventional … Read More
By: Chris Spector, Midwest Record SVETLANA/Night at the Movies: Yep, thoughts become things. We thought rock ‘n’ roll and blue jeans brought down Russia but apparently it was movies and movie music. That’s what motivated this Russian lass to leave the austerity behind and come across the pond to be successful enough in business to … Read More
By: Jim Hynes, Making a Scene Trumpeter Kenyatta Beasley leads an explosive session with his septet, through the compositions of renowned saxophonist, the late Frank Foster, Beasley’s mentor. These burning cuts, stretched over twos discs, were recorded during a two night stand at Brooklyn’s Jazz 966 in 2013. There are only 11 compositions with most … Read More
Michael Bailey Frank Foster Songbook by the Kenyatta Beasley Septet Kenyatta Beasley Septet ArtvsTransit, 2019 Frank Foster Songbook by the Kenyatta Beasley Septet is my vote for one of the finest straight-ahead jazz recordings of 2019. Recorded live at Jazz 66 in Brooklyn in 2012, the recording features vocalist Carla Cook, guitarist Mark Whitfield, tenor saxophonist … Read More
by Jeff Krow, Audiophile Audition Jazz reviewers are sent hundreds of CDs a year. Most are sent by publicists, but some come direct from the artists themselves. Established artists have a ready made audience, and their new projects will be of immediate interest to their fans. For lesser known musicians, there is the hope that … Read More
by Phil Freeman, Stereogum Chase Baird, A Life Between (Soundsabound) Saxophonist Chase Baird has lately been a member of drummer Antonio Sanchez’s Migration band, and on this album, the leadership torch has been passed. The group also includes Nir Felder on guitar, Brad Mehldau on piano, and Dan Chmielinski on bass. The music they make together combines … Read More
